For those who live outside the city and have a septic system, it is important to take proper care of your septic tank. If it is maintained properly, you will have minimal problems and will save money on repairs in the future.
When planning landscaping, gutters, and foundation drains, it is essential to make certain rainwater is diverted so the septic tank and drain field don’t become overloaded. A drain field that has collected excess water will not be able to absorb and neutralize liquid waste. Keep trees about 100 feet away from the septic system, so they don’t damage it. Trees like willows have an aggressive root system and need to be planted even further away. Vehicles must not be driven on, or parked on top of the septic tank. Neither should any structure, concrete, or asphalt cover the tank. Large farm animals must also be kept away. The weight any of these would add can damage it.
Inside your home, make sure faucets and toilets don’t leak, use aerators and low flow nozzles on faucets and showers to help with lowering water usage, use the right setting for small loads of laundry, run the dishwasher when full, and install a displacer on your toilet to reduce the amount of water used.
Only use toilet paper in your toilet. Things like cat litter, disposable diapers, sanitary napkins and tampons, paper towels, tissues, and cigarette butts will quickly clog your septic tank.
If you have a garbage disposal, make sure it can grind food into tiny particles that are easier for your septic system to break down. A lower quality disposal can increase the amount of solids waste that empties into your tank. Never pour grease down the drain. It can cause clogs and make it difficult for liquids to be absorbed by the soil.
Use of heavy cleaners will kill the good bacteria in the septic tank, which can hinder the breakdown of solids. It is also important to properly dispose of varnish, paint thinners, motor oil, gasoline, and other similar chemicals. If poured down the drain, they can ruin your septic system and get into the groundwater.
Regular maintenance, cleaning, and inspecting should be performed by a licensed contractor like the professionals at Drain King. Our technicians are experienced in emptying septic tanks and have the permits needed to collect and dispose of waste. Solids need to be pumped from the tank every 3-5 years. This can vary depending on the size of the tank, the number of people residing in the home, and whether what is allowed into the tank is controlled. The baffles inside the tank should be inspected when it is emptied to make sure the waste is being properly dispersed within the tank and no solid waste is getting into the field lines. If the baffles are damaged, major—costly—problems can quickly develop.
